Ryan Shawcross aims for England recall

25 July 2011 11:45

Ryan Shawcross is hoping Stoke's participation in the Europa League will catch the eye of England manager Fabio Capello.

Shawcross, who was called into the squad for last year's friendly with Egypt, will lead the Potters into Europe for the first time in 37-years when they host Hajduk Split on Thursday.

The Stoke skipper has set his sights on an England recall and believes playing in Europe will enhance his chances.

The former Manchester United trainee said: 'My aim is to get into the England team, and proving I can play onthe big stage in Europe will only help that.

Shaw thing: Shawcross is aiming to win his first international cap this season

'I've been to European nights at Old Trafford so I know what it's like but this will be my first experience of playing in Europe. I can't wait.

'We've proved we can play in the Premier League and Europe is the next step for us all. Hopefully I can play well and work hard and that will influence the manager into picking me.

'It's always tough to get into the England set-up because there are a lot of world-class players in my position but it's something I'm striving for.'

Shawcross has set his sights on September's Euro 2012 qualifier with Wales for his England call up. He played in Welsh schoolboy sides having been raised in Flintshire but once he left education there was no provision for him to continue in that national set-up.

Eyes on the prize: Fabio Capello's aim this season is qualification for Euro 2012

FIFA changed the rules in 2009 to allow anyone with five years of compulsory education in a country to be eligible to represent that nation. But by then Shawcross had already made his mind up about playing for England - and he will not alter that ambition despite the advances of Wales boss Gary Speed.

'I've not considered Wales,' Shawcross told BBC Sport. 'I have spoken to Gary Speed a couple of times and made my plans clear. He is a very good, young manager and I have a lot of respect for him.

'But I made my decision a long time ago when the current rule wasn't in place that I could play for Wales. Obviously he wants me to play for Wales but I made a decision and I'm going to stick with it.'